Theodore peterson



no Mbdel.)

T. PETERSON. GYMNASTIG LIVE BALL.

Zvzvenfor, Tfieodore Peterson,-

Patented Apr. 14, 1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

THEODORE PETERSON, on AKRON, omo, ASSIGNOR TO THE HOWARD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE. c a

GYMNASTIC LI VE BALL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,185, dated April 14, 1891.

Application filed October 22, 1890- Serial No. 368,892. (No model.) 7

stance to which the suspending-cord is at tached. As ordinarily constructed, the cases have a straight out or slit for the introduction and removal of the rubber bag, which slit is closed by laces, and the cords have usually been attached to the outer case by means of a strap retained by rivets and washers. This construction is objectionable because of the time required in closing the opening in preparing the ball, and also because the projecting rivets and washers present rough edges, which can and frequently do injure the hands of persons in the active use of the ball.

The object of my invention is to overcome these objections; and it consists in the peculiar and novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and then specifically pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similarlctters of reference indicate like parts, Figure 1 is a vertical central section ofthe upper part of my improved live ball, showing the method of closing the opening in the case and the manner of attaching the suspending cord and protecting the union; Fig. 2, a perspeotive of the several parts of the case-opening, showing their construction and arrangement; Fig. 3, a plan of the same with the cord and guard removed; Fig. 4, a perspective of the upper part of the ball closed with cord and guard attached; Fig. 5, a perspective of the cord, hook, and guard, the bell of the latter turned back to permit the ready attachment to the ball; and Fig. 6 a perspective, looking from below, of the lowerpart of the guard and supporting-hook.

The outer case A is of soft pliable leather or analogous material arranged to receive and inclose the rubber bag B, which is of the ordinary construction, and is provided with a flexible tube Z), by which it is inflated after -lic plate bearing astud E, having an opening to receive the hook of the suspendingcord,-

and attached to the other points are perforated plates F F F, arranged to receive the stud E, and so disposed with relation to each other that, the point bearing the stud E having been turned down, the plates F F F" are successively placed on said stud and both close the bag-opening and cause it to present an even spherical contour.

The suspending-cord G is provided with a hook H, arranged to enter the opening in the stud E, and thereby suspend the ball and retain the plates F F F in place. About the cord G andinclosing its union with the hook H is a guard I of the form shown, of any desired material, but preferablyof soft vulcanized rubber, and so situated that its lower edges will, when the hook is inserted in the In one of stud-opening, rest on the top of the case and ceive a hook, and from the other points persaid hook and have the edges of its larger end 10 forated plates arranged to fit on said stud, rest on said ball, substantially as shown and substantially as shown and described. described.

2. The combination, with a case for a ball In testimony that I claim the above I hereof the class designated and provided with a unto set my hand.

projecting stud having an opening to receive THEODORE PETERSON. asnpportinghook and a hook and cord ar- In presence ofranged to snpportsaidba1l,0f afunnel-shaped C. E. HUMPHREY,

guard, of flexible materiaharranged to inclose C. P. HUMPHREY. 

